So I have a little story for you, and I also need your advice.
Last Sunday, Bobby and I were walking around Hoboken enjoying the sunshine and we decided to make a quick stop in the grocery store to pick up a few things we were running low on.
Somehow, these landed in the cart:
Usually, I do all the grocery shopping, and I honestly can’t remember the last time I’ve walked by those sugary cereals, let alone bought them. They just aren’t ever something I crave (desserts and chocolates… those are a different story). My sugar-loving husband, on the other hand, made a beeline to these sweet snacks.
Last night after dinner, as we were lounging around on the couch watching TV, Bobby polished off his 7th bowl of cereal for the day. 7th. I proceeded to lecture him about how much sugar he had just ingested (I honestly was just concerned that his sugar high would keep me up past my 9 p.m. bedtime), but I realized my words were lost on him as he slurped down the leftover rainbow-colored milk.
That is not Bobby. However, that is exactly what he looked like.
The point of this post is not to share my husband’s eating habits with you though…. I promise… I’m getting there…
This morning, Bobby got up at the crack of dawn and hit the gym. Afterwards he declared it the best cardio workout he had ever completed. He then tried to convince me that I need to eat 7 bowls of Fruit Loops before my half marathon on Sunday.
I laughed it off and told him there was no way I’d be partaking in his method of carbo-loading, but then I started thinking.
I tend to shy away from eating a ton of sugar and processed carbs for the most part (although I certainly indulge now and then).
When I started thinking about my recent long runs though, I realized that my best runs have been the days after I’ve eaten more carbs and sugar…. and I’m not talking about in the form of fruits, veggies, and whole grains.
Now, don’t misunderstand me, I’m not about to go chow down on a few boxes of high sugar cereal and claim to be properly fueled. The process of carbo-loading is so interesting to me though, and I love learning about what others do before a big race.
So my questions for you, my amazing, advice-giving friends….
What do you feel gives you the most energy before a workout?
If you are a runner, what do you eat the day before a race? I want details!! Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner?
What’s your favorite sugary cereal??? 
Oh husband’s eating habits. I’ve been there-except my husband is a fan of hamburger helper…. YUCK x 8 million.
I’m not a race runner but I feel like my best workouts are after a nice day of rest and some stretching. My mucsles and brain just tell me it feels good to be active again.
Oh man…. Hamburger helper??!! Luckily Bobby’s not a big fan that, but he certainly likes different food then I do! It’s always interesting trying to figure out a dinner that will satisfy us both…. And half the time I just end up making two different things.
I was always a Cinnamon Toast Crunch fan. And my mother NEVER bought it for me.
My mom was the same way…. The most exciting cereal we were ever allowed was honey nut Cheerios. Blechhh!
As bad as this may sound I always have a great run the morning after I was out drinking. I would never suggest being “hung over” while running a race and I would never go out the night before a race. Crazy I tell you.
Honestly I don’t think it’s crazy… I’ve had some great runs after a night out! Although I’ve also had my share of painful runs after a night out too!
If only I could eat like my boyfriend and not gain a million pounds. My fav sugary cereal is cinnamon toast crunch- YUM! One of my fav pre-race meals is a bagel w/ peanutbutter
I hear ya…. My husband can polish off a box of cookies in one sitting and still be as fit as anyone. It’s just not fair.
My friend Jen SWEARS by eating a sugary dessert the night before races and long runs – usually carrot cake, oatmeal creme pies, etc. And I totally get the idea behind it – running gus/gels/jelly beans, etc – it’s just sugar to give your body energy, right?
At least that is why I bought a bunch of clearance jelly beans after easter to use as running fuel
Haha I think that’s totally justified!! An ice cream sundae is sounding like the perfect dessert for Saturday night!
I don’t purposely “carbo load” before races, mainly because I don’t think I need it, and I don’t want to eat a ton more than what I’m used to. But I have noticed that my long runs that are preceded by nights of eating sugary snacks are ALWAYS better runs.
You’re so right… it’s always “iffy” to eat different foods before a race… I get so nervous that I’ll have stomach issues the day of!
My husband is exactly like that, only with bags of chips! However, he is dangerous around a box of cheez-its as well! Lol I am planning on eating some pasta or something Saturday night and then will most likely have a white bagel with peanut butter Sunday morning before the race!
Ohhh yum… Cheez-it’s are my weakness. Now I’m having a total craving!
Can’t wait to read your recap! Too bad we aren’t running the same half on Sunday! Either way, I’ll be thinking of you, good luck!!
I agree! My best run ever was the morning after I ate an enormous ice cream sundae. So weird how that works.
cinnamon toast crunch for sure!! Love that stuff..even though when I do eat too much it makes me feel kinda sick because of sugar overload hahaa
Haha my brother lived off of cinnamon toast crunch growing up!
I’m sure most people don’t think of Honey Bunches of Oats when you say “sugary cereal,” but that is the sweetest cereal I can stand… and I love it! Any sweeter and its just too much for me in the morning. Though your man might be on to something with eating them after dinner… coco puffs would make a fantastic dessert in my opinion! haha
Yum… Honey bunches of oats is one of the few sugary cereals I do crave!
I used to eat sugary cereals like that! Seriously I have no idea how my teeth did not rot out of my head and I was not obese… as a kid I had 2-3 bowls every morning and usually 1 or 2 when I came home, and sometimes after dinner too, yeeshe! I think it helped I was quite an active child!
I went through several sugary cereal favorites- froot loops, cinnamon toast crunch, cinnamon life, alpha bits, reeses puffs, frosted flakes… ahhh yum
With all the kraft Mac and cheese and hotdogs I ate while growing up I’m surprised I wasn’t the same! Ahhh if only we could keep that metabolism forever!
I’ve been training for a 20K. On the days before my long runs I eat LOTS of pasta with veggies the night before. I also have a few of my homemade almond butter cups. They have just enough sugar to give me a bit of a boost.
Also, have you heard of the Global Children’s Challenge? It’s a neat program I signed my third grade class up for in the fall to promote exercise and healthy living. It took only minutes to apply and I found out my class was accepted within a day. If you don’t know about it, you should check it out! http://www.gccjunior.org/
Favorite sugary cereal? Lucky Charms!
That is awesome!! Thanks for sending the link, I would love to sign my class up… I’ll definetly be looking into it!
When is your 20k?? Impressive!
Let me know if you get signed up!
I am running the 20k on June 2nd. This is the longest race I’ve ever run, so I have mixed feelings about it. I’m super excited on one hand, and sick to my stomach about it on the other! As long as it’s not super hot I think I’ll survive!
I’m trying to get my hubby to not eat so much sugary things too! I love granola. I don’t like sweet cereal… weird I know. I carb loaded 2 days before my race and ate normal the day before. I was told that this helps you to know get cramps while running in the race.
I’m trying to learn that men can eat more than women (and it won’t affect them as much). Anyways, my husband will do the same thing with cereal and then run longer than me. I don’t get it?